Convertible railway-car.



No. 709,073. Patented sept. I6, |902.

' J. A. BRILL & E. s. ucKuAm.

CONVERTIBLE RAILWAY CAR.

(Application ilsd Feb. 1', 1901.) (N0`M0del.) 4 Sh0es-8hee1 l,

me Nonms PETERS Punrwmruo.. wAsmNcJcN. u4 n No. 709,073. Patented sept. la, |902. .1. A. mLL 0 E. s. BUCKNAM.

CONVERTIBLE RAILWAY CAR (Application filed Fell). 1,` 1901.) (N0'Model.) 4 Sheets--Sheet 2.

No. 709,073. Patented Sept. I6, IB02.

J. A. BRILL &. E. S. BUCKNAM. CONVERTIBLE RAILWAY CAB. (Application filed Feb. 1, 1901.) (No Model.; 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

Z/daesses, @UQ-Q41 l 'a 44444,; 4 @m No, 709,073. Patented Sept. I6, |902.

J. A.. BRILL & E. S. BUCKNAAM. CONVERTIBLE RAILWAY GAR.

(Application Bled Feb. 1, 1901.)

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

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lDruten STATES ArnNfr @Fluor-3.

JOI-IN A. DRILL AND EZRA SANGER BUCKNAM, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENN- SYLVANIA; SAID BUOKNAM ASSIGNOR TO SAID DRILL.

CONVERTIBLE RAILWAY-CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 709,073, dated September 16, 1902!.

Application filed February 1, 1901. Serial No. 45,545. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern: but showing the sash-panels stored in the Be it `known that we, JOHN A. BRILL and roof. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the inner EZRA SANGER BUCKNAM, citizens of the face of the upper section of the sash-panel. United States, residing at Philadelphia, Fig. 6 is a similar View of the outside of the 55 5 county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsyllower section of the sash-panel. Fig. '7 is a Vania, have invented certain new and useful perspective view of the two sections of the Improvements in Convertible Railway-Cars, sash-panel locked together ready for lifting of which the following is a specification. and storing in the roof of the car. Fig. 8 is Our invention relates to improvements in a perspective View of the female portion of 6o Io the construction of cars, and while some of its the means for locking the two sash-sections features are applicable to all kinds its greatest together. Fig. 9 is a similar View of the coield ofusefulness at present is in connection operating male portion. Fig. 10 is a cross- With those intended for city or suburban use, sectional View of the same parts locked toin which means are provided for readily congether and taken on the line x a: of Fig. 11. 65 15 verting the car into either an open or closed Fig. 11 is across-section of the same parts on form for summer orwinter use. the line z z, Fig. l0. Fig. 12 shows in per- It has for its object the production of a conspective the handles or lifting members for venient, simple, and economical car constructhe lower sash-sections. Fig. 13 is a side tion and one that will withstand the hard View of the same. Fig. 14 is a cross-section `7o zo usage incident to poor road-beds and careof the upright posts on the line a l), Fig. 3, less handling. The particular class of carto showing the guiding-grooves in detail. Fig. which they are shown applied in the drawings 15 is a similar View of the same part on the is generally termed a convertible car or, line c f, Fig. 3. Fig. 16 is a cross-section of specifically, a semiconvertible car, having the posts, taken on the line c d, Fig. 4; and 75 z5 a storage-space within the roof for the mov- Fig. 17 is a cross-section of the roof portion able panels and which may have transverse of the same posts, taken on the line g h, Fig. 4. seats located between the side stanchions or In the drawings, 2 represents the usual lonposts; but it is to be understood that they are gitudinal sill of the car-body, to which the not limited to cars of such construction, as flooring 3 is secured, as well as the vertical 8o 3o they are capable in many aspects of general posts 4, placed at the ends of the car and at application. intervals along its sides and which are pref- To the accomplishment of the foregoing erably extended, as at 5, with an inclined and and such other objects as may hereinafter curved horn or brace toward the center of the appear our invention consists in the concar to support the roof-boards 6 and for other 85 3 5 struction and combination of parts hereinafpurposes hereinafter described. At their upter particularly described, and further pointper ends or what corresponds to the upper ed out in the claims, reference being had to ends of'the usual posts they are secured to the accompanying drawings, forming a part the Weather-board 7, and the construction is hereof, in which the same reference-letters strengthened by the presence of the longitu- 9o 4o designate like parts throughout the several dinal rail 6, the inner ends of the curved eX- views, and in whichtensions being secured to the Ventilator-rail Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view through 9,0ver which the moldings l0 and 1l are placed one side of a car embodying our invention for appearance sake. The usual ventilators and showing the panels in normal position. 12 and upper deck 12 are provided as in the 95 45 Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the panels ordinary car, the head-lining or ceiling 13 bein storedposition. Fig. 3 is a section of the ing secured to the ventilator-rail 9 at its uproof and the-.upper portion of the post, taken per edge and to a longitudinal rail or stay 14 at the same point asFig. 1, but showing the at its lower edge, which rail is secured to and construction on an enlarged scale and with supported in notches in the posts 4, as shown. roo

5o the sash-panels in their lower position. Fig. The posts 4 have straight outer edges corre- 4 is a similar View, also on an enlarged scale, sponding to the sides of the carand are curved on the inside to conform to the interior of the car, being wider at the top and at the bottom than in the middle for strength of construction and for convenience, as will be explained. They are made in one piece; but it is conceivable that they may be made up of sections, if preferred. For example, the roof portions 5, which correspond to rafters or braces in the usual car and are, as stated, inclined or curved horns extending from the straight portion, may be made separate and attached thereto by any desired means, the only requirement being that they shall virtually constitute oontinuations of the said posts 4. The head-lining or ceiling 13, as before stated, is secured at its lower edge to the rail 14, which is supported in notches in the inner edges of the posts 4. These posts being wide at this point, as stated, considerable space is provided in the roof between the said lining 13, the ventilator-rail 9, the roof-boards 6 or roof proper, and the weather-board 7, which space is utilized for the purpose of storing the removable panels, as will be explained hereinafter. The lower parts of the sides of the car consist of the stationary concave or base-panel l5 and a center panel 16, which extends as far as the belt-rail 17, the latter being secured to the posts 4. A rail 16a, also secured to the posts 4, helps to sustain the panels, and the usual step or base-board l5a is provided. The center panels are made as thin as is consistent with strength and good workmanship, theirinner side being of any desired kind. Against these panels or fillets and between the posts 4 the transverse seats (not shown) are adapted to be placed with theirends abuting, as stated, the said panels. This disposition of the seats allows the total width of the car to be reduced much more than could be done if they were placed with their ends against the posts, as in the usual construction; but it necessitates other means for storing the sash-panels than in the usual casing between the posts. This, however, we accomplish by providing the roof as already referred to. It will be understood, of course, that so far as some phases of our invention are concerned the fact of stationary panels extending as high as the beltrail or stationary panels at all is of no moment, as undoubtedly the spaces devoted to each could be changed at will or the whole panel could be removable if such construction, though unusual in this form of car, were desired. In order to accomplish this obj ect of conveniently storing the removable panelsin this case sectional sash-panels in the roofspaces-the opposing faces of the posts 4 are grooved or recessed, as at 18, in which the lower section 19 of the sash-panel 2O closely iits at its lower end and along the outer edge when in its lower position; From the point 19' this groove widens and from a little higher point extends substantially to the full width of the post and to its inner curved end, except a narrow strip along the outer and upper edge of the same. The outer edge of this groove is stepped, as at 21,'on which rests the lower edge of the upper section 22 of the sash-panel 20, both upper and lower sections of this panel tting closely against the outer edge of the groove to provide a close weather-tight joint. Another groove'23 is formed in the bottom of the groove 18, in which the guiding-'trunnions 24 and 25 of the section 19 travel to guide it from lowest to normal position within the roof. It isv of just sufcient width along the side openings to accommodate the said trunnions; but as it begins to enter the curved portion 5 of the postit is widened, as at 24, said widened portion extending, as stated, into the curved inclined portion of the post. A short narrow groove is made to accommodate the trunnions or lugs 26 at the upper sides of the upper section of the panel to guide and hold the said upper edge firmly against the outer edge of the groove, the lower edge of the same being held in place by the upper edge of the lower section, which overlaps it. The said panel 20 is made in sections, so that they may be folded or packed together for storing in the roof-space, which is limited, and as they are to be made in sec-- tions it is desirable to have the lower section capable of a slight independent rise and yet to carry the other with it when entirely raised. To this end a switch or turnout 27 is provided in the groove 18 near the upper edge of the panel for the purpose of enabling the one seotion to grasp the other or of locking or interlocking the two together, so that the lower may be independently raised a short distance, or they may be pushed up into the roof storage space together. For the purpose of automatically locking these two panels together the upper corners of the lower section are pro vided with key-slots 28, formed therein in any desired manner, as by means of a wholly metal corner let into the sash, and corresponding corners of the upper sections are provided with projections 29, secured thereto as desired and having the overhanging or projecting portions 30, which are adapted to enter the key-slots or the lower panel and engage behind the 'inwardly-projecting lips 3l thereof. These comprise the female and male portions of the interlocking means. When the lower section is raised to a considerable extent, its trunnions 25 engage the turnouts 27 in the posts, causing the upper edge of the section to pass the projecting lugs 29 on the upper section, and as the trunnions strike the outward curves of the turnout the upper edge of the section is again brought up to the upper section, and the projection 29 enters the key-slot 28, and as it travels upwardly they (the projections 29) pass into the contracted portions of said slots, locking the two together. As they are raised the trunnions 25 follow the edge 32 of the groove 23. The outer inclined edge 33 of the said groove, which is the full width of the post, serves to prevent any interference of IXO the sashes with the rail 8 or the roof-boards as they are raised. The object of widening grooves 1S to substantially the full width of the upper and inner ends of the posts 4 is now apparent,for the sash-panels, although guided by their trunnions in the deeper grooves 23, overlap the edges of said grooves in passing from their lower to their stored positions and also while they are so stored. In order to keep the panels in their stored positions, some means must be provided to lock them therein. One means of accomplishing this is shown in the drawings-that is, by forming the lower 'edge of the lower section of thepanel as indicated in Fig. 12, the outer lip 35 of which when the panels are raised passes into the groove or recess 36, formed in the weatherboard 7.

This recess forms an abutment `for the end of the sash and is of course capable of being formed in any desired manner, as by properly-shaped projections. The lower edge of the panel may be otherwise shaped or not grooved at all; but this is considered the best method. After raising the panels, as shown, the lower edge is pushed outward and allowed to drop into said recess. This effectually prevents the sash from dropping or from working loose. When itis desired to lower the sashpanel, it is pulled forward out of the recess and dropped downwardly, the lower trunnions 24 naturally following the groove 23, while the upper trunnions 25 travel along the lower edge of the inclined portion of the same groove until they reach the turnout 27. By this time the trunnions 26 of the upper section have passed into the short groove 24, and as the lower section travels downwardly the switches 27'serve to unlock the lugs 29 from the slots 28, when it can be moved down to a normal position. The lifts or handles 37 are attached to the lower corners of the sections 19 for convenience.

Acurtain-roller 3S is journaledbetween the inner edges ofthe posts 4 at their upper and widened ends and is covered interiorly with a molding 39. A groove 40 ofthe same depth as the groove 18 is formed along the inner edge of thepost following its curvature and,

for the purpose of guiding the curtain and extends down to the belt-rail. It is capable oi' the same use whether the sashpanel is raised or lowered. Y.

While we have shown and described a speciic construction, we would have it understood that the in ventionis notlimited thereto, as many and various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made therein and still come within its purview; but

What we claim, and desire to secu re by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a car having side openings, and posts to define said openings, the combination with for automatically locking and unlocking the panels together as they `are moved up and down in said grooves.

2. In a convertible car,the combination with grooves or guides in the space between the head-lining and roof, ofthe separable andinilexible panels each having means connecting its separate groove, the panels being adapted to be independently tilted in an inclined position in the said space and supported therein, and means for automatically locking and unlocking the panels as they are raised and lowered in said grooves.. j

3. In a car, the combination with posts having roof extensions and oppositely-disposed grooves therein, separate grooves in each of the posts merging into the extension-grooves, a turnout located at th'e junction of one of the ost-grooves and the extension-grooves se a- D b J rate panels movable in said grooves, and means carried by said panels alternately engaged and disengaged bysaid turnout.

4Q. In a car, the combination with the posts having roof extensions,'a groove in each of the extensions, openings in the car between the posts, a plurality of panels, steppedsupports for the panels and grooves leading from said steps to the extension-groove, the lower panel having a iianged opening, and the upper panel a tongue adapted to engage the opening, and a turnout in the groove for the lower panel located adj acentthe union of this latter groove and the extension-groove. l

5. In a car having side openings, and posts to deiine said openings, the combination of a plurality of movable and separable panels, grooves in the posts to control the np-anddown movements of said panels together, and disengaging ,them from each other as they are movedu p and down in said grooves.

6. In a car having side posts and an opening between said posts, of upper and lower panels for closing said openings, engaging memlbers carried by each of said panels, and means for causing said engaging members to automatically lock and unlock during the raising IOO spaces, posts to define said'openings, separate grooves in the posts, inflexible sectional panels to fill said openings and which are mov-` j ing the lower sectionalso lifts the said upper section both together into the roof, and means for automatically disengaging them when low-` ered.

8. In a car having side openings, posts to de,-

tine said openings, sectional. sash panels, means .to cause a lower section to` lock .with

and thereby raise said upper section, and4 means for automatically disengagin g said panels when being lowered.

` 9. In a car having side openings, posts to 1define said openings, sectional sash panels, means to cause the lower section to lock with the upper section when it is raised, and means for automatically disengaging said panels.

10. In a car having side openings, posts to define said openings, sectional sash-panels for said openings, means for freely raising the lower sash-panel for some distance, locking members carried by said upper and lower panels, and means for automatically locking said members, said lower panel thereby engaging and carrying the upper section along with it when pushed up a farther distance.

11. A car having side openings, and a laterally-extending roof storage-space, posts definingsaid openings, separate grooves in the posts leading into said space, sectional panels movable in said grooves to close said openings, and means for automatically locking and unlocking said sections during raising and lowering.

12. In a car having side openings, a roof provided with-storage-spaces, sectional sashpanels for said openings, means allowing the lower section to be freely raised for some distance, locking devices carried by said upper and lower panels, and means for locking said members, the lower panel thereby engaging and carrying with it the other section when raised a farther distance and to storage posiv-tion within the roof-space.

13. In a car having side openings, a roof provided with storage-spaces, posts to define said openings and extending up into said spaces, sectional sash-panels adapted to be stored in said spaces, guiding and folding means for said panels in connection with the posts, and means for interlocking said panels at a predetermined point during the raising of said lower panel, both panels being thereby carried together into the storage-space.

14. In a car having openings, posts to define said openings, sectional panels for said openings, grooves or guides on the posts for said panels, and a turnout or switch in the guides to cause one section to interlock with another in being raised.

l5. In a car having side openings, a sectional panel to close said opening, interlocking members carried by said panels adapted to automatically lock and unlock during the raising and lowering of said panels.

16. A car having side openings, posts to define said openings, sectional panels to fill said openings, grooves in the posts for said panels, a curve or turnout in one of'said grooves to cause one section to engage with and lift another when it is raised.

1'7. A car having side openings, posts to define said openings, sectional panels to ll said openings and having trunnions thereon, and postshaving grooves for said trunnions, and a curve or turnout in the grooves to cause one section to engage and lift another when the first is raised.

18. A car having side openings, posts to define said openings, a sash-panel consisting of upper and lower sections, said posts having grooves for said panels and turnouts in said grooves to enable the lower section to grasp and carry the upper section when the said lower section is raised.

19. A car having side openings, posts to define said openings, sectional panels to fill said openings and provided with trunnions, said posts having grooves or recessed portions in which said panels fit and slide, and other grooves made in the bottom of said rst grooves for the trunnions on the panels, the latter being provided with a turnout to cause one section to engage and lift the other when the first is raised.

20. A car having side openings, posts having separate grooves to define said openings, sectional panels to fill said openings and which are movable in separate grooves, a fixed support in different planes on the posts for each of the sections, projections on one section, the other being provided with a socket, and means to cause said socket and projection to interlock when the lower section is raised whereby the other is lifted and carried along with it and to be disengaged by lowering the sections.

21. A car having side openings, grooved posts to define said openings, sectional panels movable in the grooves to fill said openings, one of said sections being provided with a slotted socket on its perpendicular face, said socket having lips projecting laterally thereof and over the slot, and another section having a projecting lug on its face opposing the slotted face of the other panel, and means for causing said lug and socket to interlock when one section is raised, whereby the other will be lifted and carried with it.

22. In a car having side openings, posts to define said openings, sectional panels to fill said openings, the lower section being provided with a key-slot and the upper with a corresponding projection, trunnions or lugs on the panels, the posts being provided with grooves for said trunnions and having turnouts or curves therein to cause said slot in the lower section to engage with the projection on the upper when said lower section is raised.

23. In a car having side openings, posts to define said openings having grooves therein, sectional panels guided by said grooves to close said openings, said panels being in different planes between the posts, means to cause said sections to automatically interlock, and rise together when the lower section is lifted.

24. In a car having side openings and roof storage-spaces, posts to define said openings having grooves in their opposing faces, sectional panels to fill said openings and guided by said grooves side by side, a turnout or switch in said grooves to cause said sections to interlock when the power is lifted into the roof storage-space.

25. In a car having side openings and roof storage-spaces, posts to define said openings having grooves in their opposing faces, sectional panels to fill said openings and guided IOO IIO

by said grooves, means to cause one section to travel alongside the other when it is lifted, locking members carried by said panels, and means formed in said grooves for causing said lower and upper panels to engage to carry the latter into the roof storage-space and sustain it therein. l

26. In a car having side openings and grooved posts, a roof providing storage-spaces above said openings and between the posts, upper and lower panels to move in the grooves to close said openings, means carried by said panels and combined with the said grooves to lock the panels together in said storagespaces,and means for engaging one ofthe said panels to retain both of said panels in said storage-space.

27. In a car` having side openings, and grooved posts, a storage-space formed above the said openings beneath the roof of the car and between said posts, combined with a pair of upper and lower panels adapted to close said openings, and means partly formed by said grooves and by devices carried by said panels for automatically locking the panels together while being raised into said storagespaces, and means for retaining the panels in said storage-space.

2S. In a car, having side openings and posts,

and storage-spaces above said openings be-r neath the roof of vthe car and between the posts, the said posts defining said openings, groovesin the said side posts extending into the said storage-spaces, upper and lower panels guided by said grooved side posts, means carried by said panels and adapted to coperate with said grooves for automatically locking said panels together while being raised into the storage-space, and unlocking them while being lowered from said storage-space, and further means for retaining said panels in said storage-space.

29. In a car having side openings, a roof providing storage-spaces above said openings, upper and lower panels adapted to close said openings, means carried by said panels adapted to automatically lock and unlock the panels to and from each other as they enter and leave said storage-spaces and to maintain them locked in said storage-spaces, and further means for engaging one of said panels to retain both of said panels in said storagespace.

30. In a car having side openings, and storage-spacesabove said. openings beneath the roof of the car, posts defining said openings, upper and lower panels adapted to close said openings, means for automatically locking said panelstogether while being raised into said storage-space, and a recess adapted to receive the lower end of said lower panel to support both panels in said storage-spaces- 3l. In a car having side openings, a roof `provided with storage-spaces, posts to define said openings, panels to close said openings, and means whereby the said panels can be lifted into the roof, and a recess formed in one wall of the said space, the lower end of the said panel being grooved to it within the recess.

32. As a new article of manufacture, a post for cars havingagroovethereimand being provided with a turnout or curve in said groove.

33. As a new article of manufacture, apost for cars provided with grooves side by side,

`one'of said grooves being provided with a turnout, substantially as described.

34:. As a new article of manufacture, a post for cars having a curved extension and provided with a groove or depression narrow at one end and wide in the curved portion, another groove in the bottom of said first groove and also ruiming into the curved extension.

35. As a new article of manufacture, a post for cars having a curved extension and with superimposed grooves extending up into the curved portion, one being deeper than the other, the deeper groove having two substantially parallel portions, one being provided with a turnout or switch. A

36. As a new7 article of manufacture, a post for cars having a curved extension and with superimposed grooves extending up, into the curved portion, one` being deeper than the other, the deeper groove having two substantially parallel legs emerging from a wide portion thereof, said wide portion extending in the curved portion, and one of said legs having a turnout therein, and still another groove in the other edge of the saine face of the post.

37. In a car having side openings, and storage-spaces above said openings below the roof of the car,of side posts defining said openings, upper and vlower panels fitted between said posts, interlocking devices carried by said npper and lower panels,.adapted to automatically lock and unlock during the raising and lowering of said panels, and a recess in said storage-space adapted to support 'the lower end of one of said panels. l

38. In car having side openings, and storage-spaces above said openings below the roof of the car, of grooved side posts defining said openings, upper` and lower sashes fitted into the grooves of said side posts, locking members carried by said sashes, and means for automatically engaging and disengaging said locking members during the raising and lowering of said panels.

39. In a convertible car having side openings extending down to the belt-rail, sectional sash-panels to close said openings, stationary panels to close the sides of the car below the belt-rail, means to store said sectional panels in the roof, and a curtain-roller journaled between said posts.

40. The combination with the sash or pan els, of a key-slot formed in the upper edge of one panel, and a projection from the other panel adapted to engage the slot in the other panel.

. 41. The combination with the sashes or panels, of a key-slot 28, having narrowing projections Slformed on one of the panels, and apro- IIO jection 29 having the overhanging portions 30 Signed at the oity of Philadelphia, county ro formed on the other panel for engagement of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania,

with said slot. this 9th day of January, 1901.

42. In a convertible open and closed car, the JOHN A BRILL combination of a sliding Window sash and panel, one of said parts bang formed with an EZRA SANGER BUCKNAM' engaging device to hold the other part thereto Witnesses:

when the parts are brought together with one J. W. CAMAC, part overlying the other. 1 RELLA HAPPERSETT. 

